Las Vegas Bowl Issues Invites - stiets1118's Dynasty

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Las Vegas Bowl Issues Invites

Posted on March 27, 2015 at 07:28 PM.

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Maaco Las Vegas Bowl #13 Alaska State (12-1) vs. UCLA (8-4) Line: UCLA by 5

The first meeting between these two teams will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the 2016 Maaco Las Vegas Bowl. Alaska State brings their stingy defense, ranked #1 in points allowed, and #2 in total yards allowed, into Las Vegas to match up against a once high powered UCLA offense which has been decimated by injuries to both starting QB Chris Brown and starting RB Darius Bennett. Brown, before being injured, threw for 32 td and over 2700 yards. He is replaced by Junior signal caller Cole Turner. Turner is more athletic and a much better runner than Brown, but doesnt have quite the accuracy. UCLA will rely on two freshman running backs to bolster the running game. The UCLA defense on the other hand boasts a solid defensive front 7, with 3 of the best linebacker groups in the Pac12. Look for them to put a lot of pressure on the average Alaska State offensive line. UCLA also has a very strong and physical secondary that should be able to pin down the Alaska receivers.
Alaska State will need to get their running game going early, and look for the defense to set the tone early, trying to force the early turnover. Senior signal-caller Markell Cooley enters his last game in an Alaska State uniform, as do 13 other seniors that forged the original freshman class at then newly founded Alaska State. Running back Shaun Peterson will potentially have a difficult day finding holes against the excellent front 7 of UCLA.